Aug 2023
Ermine House hosts church confirmation for residents
Team member Tracey recalls the special occasion
June and Gordon, residents at Ermine House in Lincoln, came together with other residents, the care team and local church clergy to mark their confirmation during a special Church of England service conducted in the home.
Assistant Bishop of Lincoln The Right Rev Dr Nigel Peyton – who previously managed a care home in Scotland - and Parish Priest Reverend Rachel Heskins of St John The Baptist Parish Church performed the service. They looked splendid in their vestments and preferred the more friendly titles of Bishop Nigel and Rev’d Rachel.
Both June and Gordon put on their Sunday best and along with family and friends, joined Bishop Nigel and Rev’d Rachel in the home’s blue lounge.
June’s daughter Susan and son-in-law Terry were present, and Activities Co-ordinator Caressa supported Gordon. They invited residents Sister Agnes (Sisters of Providence), Freda and Betty, and volunteers Maureen, Sue and Dave, to be a part of their special day.
June had a conditional baptism to start off with, and then both were confirmed as a declaration of their faith.
The ceremony was a beautiful, spiritual and friendly service helped along by Bishop Nigel’s and Rev’d Rachel’s friendly, caring and down to earth natures.
Rev’d Rachel brought along the old church hall font for the service, which had not been used since 1961. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing, including volunteer Dave, also present at the service, who was baptised in the church hall with that font.
Gordon and June were presented with lit candles (representing the light of God) and a certificate of confirmation. Volunteer Sue presented each with a bouquet of flowers and Carer and part-time Activities Co-ordinator Jo presented them with a card from the care home.
Ermine House and St John The Baptist Parish Church offer great community engagement, with services in the home and the church welcoming residents to their luncheon club. June and Gordon have both regularly attended the services in the home. June said she had always wanted to be confirmed and to take communion, and her daughter Susan agreed that she could see why her mum wanted to. Gordon had also always wanted to be confirmed but had never managed to.
They both mentioned to the team at Ermine that they also wanted to take communion, but they were not confirmed and so felt they couldn’t. Rev’d Rachel explained they could be confirmed and to take a while to think about it and make their own decisions. Once they made their decisions to go ahead, Caressa organised the confirmation with Rev’d Rachel.
Following the service, everyone mingled and chatted. Volunteers Sue and Maureen prepared a delicious buffet of fresh fruit kebabs, sausage rolls, and fresh cream strawberry gateau which everyone enjoyed with tea or coffee. They also made special shortbread dominoes for Gordon, who is a member of the home’s dominoes club.
Both June and Gordon are very proud to have been confirmed and Ermine House witnessed a beautiful occasion.